Judith Rough Soprano

https://judithrough.sitehappy.com/

Judith is a freelance classical soprano. As a classical singer, she has sung music from the medieval period to the 21st century; from sacred and secular; from concert, opera and musical theatre. Each period and style brings its own inspiration and insight into the influences of the time.

Judith has extensive experience as a soloist in concert and oratorio, having performed most of the major soprano repertoire with various choirs and orchestras in and around Sydney.

While living in the USA Judith performed as soloist and ensemble member with professional chamber choirs Voces Novae et Antiquae and The Lady Chapel Singers, recording with them and touring in the USA and Europe. She was in demand as a recitalist, sang with the Mainline Opera Guild and performed opera as part of the music education programme in Philadelphia schools. She worked as resident cantor and soloist for 2 historic churches in Philadelphia.

Judith performs regularly in concert and recital in Sydney and in the Southern Highlands, where she has enjoyed singing with The Southern Highlands Symphony Orchestra and the Highlands Sinfonia. Recitals are regularly performed for St Stephens Macquarie Street, St Pauls Burwood, and St Jude’s Music Association.

Enjoyable highlights have included
• performing for the Governor at Government House in Hobart
• Opera Afloat in association with Sydney's Vivid Festival,
• performing with The Sydney Woodwind Orchestra in a world premiere of Philip Rugel’s Chamber Opera “Purgatory” for Soprano and Tenor
• a recent concert of opera arias and duets with Southern highlands Symphony Orchestra
• Performing music by Australian composers Ann Carr-Bayd and David Basden in a recent recital in the presence of the composers.

Diana Weston is a musician and doctor living in Sydney. Since gaining her Masters in Music in 2008 with a study of harpsichord continuo styles, she has been involved with many musical activities and projects including festivals and concerts, operas and recitals. She is the director of the ensemble Thoroughbass which she formed in 2009. Thoroughbass is a group dedicated to the presentation of little known early and contemporary music on period instruments, presenting a series of concerts annually. Although the foundation of Thoroughbass is in early music with harpsichord, cello, voice and recorders at its core, Diana also commissions and arranges contemporary music for the group.
Diana is also music director for Ondine Productions and a free-lance harpsichordist. As a musician, much of her work is in accompaniment, in particular vocal accompaniment. This allows her to indulge her other great interest – words and musical storytelling.

Recordings include: Bach and Harmonious Euphony: Music for 2 harpsichords with Monika Kornel (2010), Blue Skies, Magpies and Goldfish: Music for harpsichord, recorders, voice and cello by Australian women composers (2013), Flying West: the music of Ann Carr-Boyd, a double cd (2014/15, published by Wirripang).

Major projects with Ondine Productions: Francesca Caccini’s La liberazione di Ruggiero dall’isola d’Alcina (2012 fully staged), Glass’ Akhnaten (2013, a scented opera), Britten’s Phaedra/Gorecki’s Concerto for Harpsichord and String Orchestra (2014).

Since their debut in 2011, Mirabella Trio; originally clarinet, violin, and piano trio, has performed concerts of classical and contemporary music across Sydney, and regularly performed at Classics at Picton. Using the uniqueness of instrumentation of this trio, they are passionate to perform both well established repertoire such as Trios by Khachaturian, Milhaud, Bartók, and Stravinsky and also the less exposed but fantastic works such as Serenade for Three by Peter Schickele, and Trio by Gian Carlo Menotti. In 2019, Minah (violoncello) joined the Trio as the newest member and replaced Sayaka (violin). Mirabella Trio continues to discover exciting repertoire for the new combination. 

Cello: Minah Choe 

Born in Seoul, Korea, Minah began her studies at the age of 8. She graduated with Bachelor of Music with First Class of Honours from the Sydney Conservatorium where she was admitted whilst at high school and received scholarships throughout her studies. She was a full scholarship holder at the Australian National Academy of Music under the guidance of Prof. Janos Starker and continued with doctoral degree as his teaching assistant at IU.  Minah graduated with Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Sydney Conservatorium. Currently she works as a freelance cellist in major orchestras and performing widely in various chamber music concerts and recitals.

Minah has appeared as a soloist with several orchestras including Sydney Symphony, Christchurch Symphony, Nizhny-Novgrod Philharmonic, Indiana University Philharmonic, Bloomington Camerata, and so on. Minah has won numerous awards including ‘Most Promising Performer’ in 4th Adam International Cello Competition, Australian Postgraduate Award, inaugural Janos Starker Scholarship, Dorothy Fraser Scholarship and Australian University of Women Federation Commemorative Fellowship.

Minah is passionate about teaching cello. Currently, she teaches at Abbotsleigh school for girls, Cranbrook school and the King’s school. She was a tutor at AYO Young Symphonists in 2010 and tutor at the Riverina Summer School for Strings in 2013 and 2015. Minah worked as a Music Co-ordinator of the Australian Korean Classical Association. Minah plays a cello by Joseph Hel (18690).

Piano: Kayoko Nishiwaki

Kayoko studied at Mukogawa Women's University in Japan with Boris Bekhterev and with the late Naoyuki Inoue, himself a pupil of Rudolf Serkin. She also holds a Master's degree from Moscow State Conservatoire. Kayoko is an experienced Chamber Musician. In Japan, replacing Boris Bekhterev, she appeared a number of times at Russian Embassy, both as a soloist and an accompanist. For several years she participated in the Kobe Memorial production of Verdi Requiem.

She and her husband, a former pianist Dong-Jun Ha, established a duo called ‘Piano Duo’. In 2005 they played in Kobe International Competition and received an award. Kayoko now lives in Sydney where she studied with Phillip Shovk and runs a home studio. She has recorded for ABC Classics.

Clarinet: Hanae McLean

Hanae grew up in a small town called Komono, outskirts of Nagoya, Japan. She began learning piano at the age of 4. During high school, she joined the school band and switched her instrument to clarinet at the age of 15. Hanae studied with Professor Floyd Williams at the Queensland Conservatorium before moving to Sydney. She completed her Bachelor of Music in Performance, and Post Graduate Diploma in Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium, studying with Franceco Celata. 

Hanae was a member of Sydney Sinfonia, the Sydney Symphony Education Programme. She was a guest musician for Sydney Symphony Fellowship Program in 2005 and a member of Camerata programme for Australian Youth Orchestra in 2006. She has performed with Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonic Choir Orchestra, Pacific Opera, Eminence Symphony Orchestra, and The Occasional Performing Sinfonia.  Hanae teaches clarinet at various schools and conducts the Clarinet Ensemble at one of her schools.

Andante and Scherzo by Eugène Bozza (1905-1991)

Composed in 1938 and dedicated to the Marcel Mule’s Paris quartet, this lush and quasi-romantic piece is divided in two parts. A gentle opening that features a solo tenor saxophone gives way to lively and engaging musical interplay between all four members of the ensemble. Eugène Bozza was awarded numerous prizes at the Conservatoire de Paris, including First Prizes for Violin, conducting and composition, as well as the Grand Prix de Rome. Among others he composed several ballets, operatic and chamber works.

Children’s Songs (Selections) by Chick Corea, arr. by Rob Buckland.

Inspired by Bela Bartók, Corea recorded the complete series of his 20 Children’s songs for ECM in 1984. The collection was the first that Corea had ever written specifically for solo keyboard. The first song was written in 1971 and conveyed simplicity as beauty, as represented in the spirit of a child. Chick returned to the songs time and again, including a duet with Gary Burton, and in “Return to Forever”, and there were more, freely adapting them for each new musical context. In Chick’s words: "Children remind us of and give us back that spirit of freedom we all so dearly want. We are all basically that free, but often need the reminder. In that spirit, I invite you to take the songs, play them and play with them. Re-harmonize, improvise, orchestrate. Take a child’s approach and fool around with them. Then write some of your own.”

The Lord Bless You and Keep You by John Rutter, arr. by Lortta Palmeiro

This classical sacred choral composition is based on the Aaronic Blessing from the Bible’s Book of Numbers, 6:24-26. A setting of the biblical invocation (or Benediction) is followed by an extended "Amen". Scored originally for four vocal parts (SATB) and organ, Rutter composed the work in 1981 for the memorial service of Edward T. Chapman, the director of music at Highgate School, London, with whom he had studied when he attended the school. The work was part of the celebration of the 100th birthday of the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 2000, and was also sung by the choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018.

Quartet No 1 by Bob Mintzer

Drawing from his vast experience as a performing artist, Mintzer's writing for saxophones is truly idiomatic and wonderfully adventurous. Commissioned by The Apollo Saxophone Quartet of Manchester, England, this contemporary, concert 'opus' includes several short, feature solos for all, a full-length alto cadenza near the end of the slow second movement, and a fast-paced finale for an unforgettable finish.

The Police Band Saxophone Quartet is a musically versatile ensemble that has the power to express the warmth or boldness of sound that you would expect from a brass section, whilst also having the ability to play with the refinement and delicacy of a string quartet. The saxophone quartet performs music of diverse styles and eras. In addition to performing ceremonial works their repertoire includes jazz, classical, popular and commercial themes.

Ensemble Members

Loretta Palmeiro (alto & soprano saxophones) completed her classical and jazz studies with Mark Walton, Craig Scott, Judy Bailey and Kevin Hunt at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Loretta is an Australian Arts Council Grant recipient and a founding member of original gypsy swing ensemble: Spyglass, who received a glowing review in the SMH with the release of their second album VOYAGES. Loretta is co-director of a duo with Australian piano virtuoso Mark Isaacs, and she leads a world music group Alma Orquestra, who appeared on SBS’s Destinations Flavour Eurovision with Adam Liaw in 2018. More recently Loretta has performed in the orchestra pit for Moulin Rouge and Joseph and His Technicoulour Dreamcoat at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.

Alice Morgan (alto & soprano saxophones) graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2017 with First Class Honours in Saxophone Performance under the tutelage of Michael Duke and Christina Leonard, and in the same year toured Europe as orchestral soloist and travelled to Verona to participate in the Estivo Chamber Music Festival in Verona. Since graduating Alice enjoys a varied career of performative mediums within classical, jazz and contemporary genres.

Dr Nathan Henshaw (tenor saxophone) is an internationally renowned saxophonist recognised for his ability to excel in a great diversity of genres and styles. In conjunction with playing full time with the NSW Police Band, Nathan also performs with Nexas Quartet - one of Australia’s leading chamber ensembles.

Louise Peake (baritone saxophone) was born and raised in Sydney and studied Classical Saxophone at the Sydney Conservatorium before graduating in 2012. Amer many years of travelling and working as a saxophone tutor, freelance musician, and a choral scholar, she joined the NSW Police Band in July 2020. When not playing saxophone for the police band you can find Louise singing three-part harmonies and playing banjo in one of the many ensembles in which she is a collaborator, including two trios, a folk band and an indie/rock band.

Wendy Dixon has had a highly successful international career as a soprano soloist working in Europe, the Americas, Asia, New Zealand and Australia. She continues singing through performances as Grevillea Ensemble in partnership with David Miller. Together they have recorded over ten CD’s of Australian Art Song.

Wendy created Opera Boot Camp Australia, a programme for 15-25 year old potential opera singers. Sydney Art Song Society is another program of which Wendy is Artistic Director, designed for mature age singers to continue their exploration of the Art Song repertoire of various styles and countries.

Wendy is a firmly committed educationalist, gaining her Master of Music (Mus.Ed.) USyd 2007 with her thesis investigating vocal repertoire for HSC and mid-adolescent performers. She has also co-written three books on Australian Art Songs. Her doctoral studies are exploring the relationship between composers and performers in the creation of contemporary art song. 

David Miller is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading chamber musicians and vocal accompanists. 

He has performed with several notable chamber ensembles, including the legendary contemporary music ensemble Flederman, the Huntington Trio and the Canberra Wind Soloists, and was for many years the rehearsal pianist for the Sydney Philharmonia Choir. He records for Tall Poppies, Vox Australis, ABC Classics and Wirripang, with an emphasis on the promotion of Australian music both old and new. Mr Miller was on the staff of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music for more than 40 years. 

Since his retirement from a full-time teaching position at the Conservatorium, Mr Miller has continued to perform and record with a wide range of professional colleagues, particularly in his two ensembles, Grevillea and Charisma. In addition he has established a private studio where he coaches young singers and instrumentalists in the art of performing in ensemble and trains pianists in the development of the special skills required of a professional collaborative pianist He will also be continuing a busy schedule of masterclasses, lectures, conferences and interviews. The Accompanists’ Guild of NSW, which he founded, has created an annual David Miller Award to honour the outstanding achievements and services he has given to young Australian musicians and the specialised discipline of piano accompaniment. 

Stacey Xiaoyu Yang is a doctoral candidate (majoring in organ performance and literature) in the studio of Professor David Higgs at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY. She is currently also completing a Master’s degree in Collaborative Piano at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music . She is the Organ Scholar at St Paul’s College, the University of Sydney and the deputy organist and music director at Hunter Baillie Presbyterian Church, Annandale. She holds a MMus (Eastman) and LTCL in organ performance, a LMusA in piano performance and has performed extensively both in Australia and Overseas including Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Opera House, St James', King St, Christ Church St Laurence, Our Lady's Basilica at Tongeren in Belgium, Marktkirche, Wiesbaden in Germany, HongKong Cultural Centre and Cathedrals in Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, Antwerp, and Madrid. As a collaborative pianist, she has worked with many luminous performers including David Elton, Frank Celata, Katie Woolley, Evgeny Sorkin, Emma Scholl, Simon Lobelson, Jeremy Boulton, and Georg Pedersen. In 2022, she worked as a repetiteur for Opera Australia’s school production Cinderella.  She is the recipient of the prestigious Melba Opera Trust Scholarship in 2023. 

Melbourne – born baritone, James Emerson has performed in professional operatic productions and concerts since an early age, and in 2019 made his soloist debut in The Melbourne Bach Choir’s performance of St. Matthew Passion at The Melbourne Recital Centre. Since then, he has performed with Victorian Opera, including the Australian premiere production of Valtinoni’s Il Mago di Oz, in which he sang the role of The Cowardly Lion, and the world premiere of Richard Mill’s The Butterfly Lovers. 

James holds a Master of Music (Opera Performance) from The University of Melbourne and also has a Bachelor of Music degree with Honours. He has won numerous awards from many prominent Australian vocal competitions and eisteddfods, including the Arnold Matters Scholarship Award (Adelaide Eisteddfod). He was also a finalist in the prestigious Herald Sun Aria competition (2021) and has been a finalist for many years in the Australian National Liederfest competiton. 

In 2023, James has returned to Australia’s premier scholarship program - Melba Opera Trust for a second year, where he is the recipient of the John & Elizabeth Wright – Smith and the Paulette Bisley Opera Scholarships. 

James has also received a scholarship to commence his Master of Performance (Vocal) at The Royal College of Music, London, which commences in September 2023.